119-SJRES-91 Journalist Public Summary

Headline Summary

Overturn BLM’s December 2024 Coastal Plain leasing decision for Alaska’s Arctic Refuge using the Congressional Review Act so it has no force or effect. [3]U.S. Bureau of Land Management — BLM Notice of Availability: Record of Decision…[1]GAO — U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management—Applicability…

What It Does

This joint resolution disapproves the Bureau of Land Management’s “Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision,” issued in December 2024 for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). If enacted under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), that decision would be nullified and the agency could not issue a new rule that is “substantially the same” unless Congress later authorizes it. The GAO has already determined the 2024 decision is a “rule” subject to the CRA, and the opinion was printed in the Congressional Record. [3]U.S. Bureau of Land Management — BLM Notice of Availability: Record of Decision…[2]Congressional Research Service / Congress.gov — CRS: The Congressional Review A…[1]GAO — U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management—Applicability…[4]Congress.gov/Library of Congress — Congressional Record: GAO legal opinion on C…

In practical terms, the resolution targets how leasing on ANWR’s 1.5–1.6 million‑acre Coastal Plain is managed. The 2024 Record of Decision completed Interior’s supplemental environmental review and set parameters for a second congressionally mandated lease sale. [3]U.S. Bureau of Land Management — BLM Notice of Availability: Record of Decision…[5]U.S. Bureau of Land Management — Congressionally mandated lease sale announced…

Why It Matters

The Coastal Plain is ecologically sensitive and culturally important ground for the Porcupine Caribou herd and the Gwich’in people, but it is also an area Congress opened to potential oil and gas leasing. Changes to the 2024 plan could affect wildlife habitat, Indigenous communities, and future energy development in Alaska. [6]U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Arctic National Wildlife Refuge overview

Who’s For It

• Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R‑AK) and Sen. Dan Sullivan (R‑AK) — argue the 2024 decision unlawfully restricted leasing beyond what Congress allowed in 2017 and was structured to fail. [7]Office of Sen. Lisa Murkowski — “Coastal Plain ROD is a Complete Failure” (pres…
• State of Alaska officials — sued in January 2025, saying the 2024 decision’s limits made development “economically and practically impossible.” [8]Alaska Department of Law — State of Alaska press release: Lawsuit over 2024 Coa…
• House companion effort — a similar CRA resolution (H.J.Res.131) was introduced Oct. 10, 2025, signaling aligned support in the House. [9]Congress.gov/Library of Congress — H.J.Res.131 text (119th Congress): CRA disap…

Who’s Against It

• Gwich’in Steering Committee — opposes using the CRA to invalidate protections, citing threats to their people and caribou calving grounds. [10]Web search · turn 6 #3
• The Wilderness Society — backed Interior’s “more protective” 2024 plan and a restrained approach to leasing. [11]The Wilderness Society — The Wilderness Society: “Interior finalizes more prote…
• Defenders of Wildlife — warned the 2024 leasing step endangered wildlife and Gwich’in cultural survival; opposes undoing safeguards. [12]Defenders of Wildlife — Defenders of Wildlife: “Appalled by Oil and Gas Lease S…

What’s Next

Status: Introduced in the Senate on October 28, 2025 and referred to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. A House companion was introduced on October 10, 2025. To take effect, CRA resolutions must pass both chambers and be signed by the President (or have a veto overridden). [13]LegiScan — LegiScan: SJR91 (119th Congress) status summary[9]Congress.gov/Library of Congress — H.J.Res.131 text (119th Congress): CRA disap…[2]Congressional Research Service / Congress.gov — CRS: The Congressional Review A…